Rubbing machine



April 17, 1951 H. R.IJOHNSON 2,548,979

RUBBING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Hamid R Johnson Iii W316 c1553 April 1951 H. R. JOHNSON 2,548,979

' RUBBING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Harold R. Johnson ficuzgw may April 17, 1951 H. R. JOHNSON RUBBING MACHINE s Sheets-855st 5 Filed May 26, 1949 IN V EN TOR.

Ham/d2. Johnson wxi ix,

aii 'y Patented Apr. 17, 1951 RUBBING MACHINE Harold ,R. Johnson, Rockford, Ill., assignor" to H. Johnson Engineering & Sales 00., Rockford, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 26, 1949, Serial No.-95-,536

12 Claims.

This invention relates to rubbing machinesand more particularly to those of-a non-portable type suited to production rubbing operationson fiat strip or panel material and the like.

One of the objects of my'invention is to provide a rugged andstationary rubbing machine adapted to use for either wet or dryrubbing operations on flat workpieces which are automatically fed through the machine at an adjusted rate while the rubbing progresses in sequential stages.

As another object; my invention 'comprehends the provision-of a rubbing machine embodying a plurality of rubbing shoes-supported for linear reciprocating motion-and driven-from a single shaftfin'amanner such "that alternate ones of theshoes move in'opposed.cycleslaterally of the direction of movement ofiwo'rk through the machine;

Another object ofthe invention is'to provide a rubbing machine having, a pluralityrof reciprocating rubbing shoes; eachof which is individually adjustablea-in a direction lateral to that of the reciprocating motion.

It is a further object ofthis invention to pro vide a' rubbing'machine embodying rubbing shoes constructed and arranged to establish a firmlretaining hold on material providing the rubbing surface of the shoe, while beingadapted to ease and rapidity of movement of the rubbing material for renewal purposes;

My'invention also has within its purview the provision of arubbing machine wherein the adjusting and actuating. parts are disposed at a level above the level of use of-liquidcused-in wet rubbing operations.-

Other objects andadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the'following description and the accompany-ingdraWings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring .to thethree sheetsof drawings,

Fig.) is a general perspective view taken from one end and to oneside of a rubbingmachine embc dying a preferred form of my invention Fig; 2 is a fragmentary and somewhat diagrammatic top sectionalview showing portions of. the operating structure of the rubbing machine depicted in Fig. 1; h I

Fig. 3.is a fragmentary end sectional View il lustrating operating parts, of my preferred. rubbing machine, some of which parts are depicted nine. 21:

Fig. 4' is a fragmentary vertical side sectional view taken substantially at a position indicated bya line Fig. 3"a'nd in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion-of the structure shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is afragnie'ntziiy side view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5.

Considered generally, the exemplary embodiment ofmy .rubbingmachine which is depicted for exemplary purposes inthe accompanying drawings, and as shown in Fig. 1 thereof; includes 7 a base structure I0 adapted for'stationary mounting and. includes atop workpiece supporting table l2 at the ends of which are platforms i3 and 14 which facilitate the feeding'of workpieces into the machine and the removal of such workpieces therefrom. It is a further functionof-the platforms l3 and It to provide support for large workpieces adjacent the opposite. ends of :the table l2 as such workpieces are fed through'the machine. Framework 15 is secured-"to the base structure II] and extendsupwardly from the table l2 forsupporting operating parts of the ma-- chine. In the structure disclosed-in-Fig.-. 1, the operating parts includerubbingshoes I6,- l'! and I8, feed rollers wand 20,-a-first-prime: move;- 22 which comprises :a variable speedmotorfor-driv ing therubbingshoes anda-second prime mover 23 which is a variable speedmotor for driving the feed rollers, including .the rollers 19 and 20.:

Considered in greater detail, the base structure is preferably enclosed by endpanels-such as :24 and side-panels such as 25, 26 and: 27.1 The framework 15includes opposed side plates 28- and 29 secured to the base structure on opposite-sides of the table i2 and having integral reinforcing ribs 30 extending upwardly along theouter surfaces thereof at positions spaced longitudinally of the table l2. Also-at spacedpositionsalong thebottom, the side plates-28 and 29 have-opposed openings 32 and 33 therein which ;are aligned with thesoppositeends of-therubbing shoes IS, I l and-18. At the top, the side plates 28 and ZQarecOnnected and covered 'by a top plate. 34. In additiontc-the .top plate the tops of the side plates 28 and 29 support andare con-- nected by ,pairs..of= channels 35 and Zia-which serve as supporting basesfortheprime movers 22 and 23 respectively; As furtherelements of; the framework 45; beams 37 and 38'(Figs. 1 and 2) extend between reinforced portionsof' the side plates 28 andzt and are secured thereto at-their opposite ends at positions abovethe table l2to serve as main bearing supports; I

The beams 31 and. 38 have aligned main bearings 39 and 4c respectively mounted-at their mid portions which main bearings-are preferably-of the anti-friction type and rotatablysupporta main drive shaft 42 whichextends longitudinally of the, machine in parallel relationship to. the table. At 1 one end 0f the shaft, a multiple sprocket. .43 is. securednthereto, throughv which sprocket a driving.connectionisprovided tothe motor 22 by means suchas chains enclosed within a housing 45.. At spaced positions .along the shaft 42, eccentrics 45, t6 and 47. are drivingly. secured to the shaft. The number of such eccentrics cor responds to the number of rubbing shoes with which the machine is equipped. Although this number may be varied, it is preferably a plurality greater than two. Also. alternate ones of the eccentrics are varied in their position relative to the shaft in order to dephase the movements of the parts which are driven thereby. In the present instance, the alternate eccentrics are opposed, whereby the parts driven thereby move through cycles in opposed relationship to one another.

At positions aligned laterally of the shaft 42 and table I2 with respect to the eccentrics 45, 46 and 41, rubbing shoe supports 48, 49 and 50 are carried from the side plates 28 and 29, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Since the rubbing shoe supports and rubbing shoes of my disclosed structure are substantially alike, a description of one will suffice for all. Having particular reference to Figs. 3 and 4, each rubbing shoe support includes a cross beam 52 supported at its opposite ends by shafts 53 and 54, which shafts each have an end secured thereto and extend upwardly therefrom in substantially parallel relationship. On the lower surface of the cross beam 52, ribs 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 are integrally formed thereon in spaced and substantially parallel relationship; the ribs 55 and 56 being at one end of the cross beam, the ribs 5'! and 58 being at the other end of the cross beam and the rib 59 being disposed substantially midway between the formerly mentioned ribs. Each such rib, as shown in Fig. 4, is provided with integral bearing bosses B and 62 in spaced relationship and having bearing bores 63 and 64 therein. The bearing bores in the respective bosses are aligned and have substantially parallel cross shafts B and 65 supported therein for longitudinal sliding movement. At the mid-portion of the cross beam, an elongated opening 61 is provided; the mid-portion of this opening having the rib 59 extending thereacro ss.

Bearings 68 and 69 which are secured to the side plates 28 and 29 have bearing bores I0 and 12 therein for slidably receiving the shafts 53 and 54. Upper end portions 13 and 14 of the shafts 53 and 54 are threaded. Also, the bearings 68 and 69 have slots I5 and 16 extending laterally of the bearing bores at the mid-portions of the bearings. These slots have worm gears I1 and 18 mounted therein so as to be supported by and rotatable relative to the respective bearings. The worm gears I1 and 18 are in ernally threaded to fit the threaded upper portions I3 and T4 of the shafts 53 and 54, whereby those shafts are supported from the bearings 08 and 69 through the worm gears 11 and I8. Initially, the positions of the worm gears 11 and I8 are ad- J'usted so that the cross shafts 65 and 55 are substantially parallel to the table I2. At each such rubbing shoe support, a control shaft 19 is journalled in bearings 80 and 82 in the side plates 28 and 29 and has worm gears 83 and 84 secured thereto and meshing with the gears I1 and 78 respectively. Thus, by manual rotation of a hand wheel 85 secured to a projecting end of the control shaft I9, both ends of the rubbing shoe support are vertically adjusted by a single control.

Rubbing shoes 86, 87 and 88 are supported for reciprocating movement laterally of the table I2 by the rubbing shoe supports 48, 49 and 50. Like the rubbing shoe supports, the rubbing shoes are similar in structure to one another, so that a description of one will suffice for all. Each rubbing shoe includes a substantially rigid plate 99 having a, plane surface 90 facing the table I2, and opposite which plane surface integrally formed supporting lugs 92 project upwardly at the ends of the rubbing shoe and at positions disposed between the ribs 56, 59 and 51 on the rubbing shoe support. The cross shafts 65 and 66 extend through and are secured to the lugs 92, so that the rubbing shoes and their respective cross shafts are carried for reciprocating movement relative to the rubbing shoe supports,

At the mid-portion of each rubbing shoe, a slide frame 93 extends upwardly and encompasses the main shaft 42. The slide frame has substantially parallel side members 94 and 95 joined at the top by a cross member 95. Parallel tracks 91 and 98 are provided on the inner surfaces of the side members 94 and 95, which tracks are in opposed relationship and carry a slide block 99 for vertical reciprocating movement; the extent of such movement being equal to the full displacement of one of the eccentrics during the rotation of the main shaft. A bearing I00, which is preferably of the anti-friction and self-aligning type, is mounted between the eccentric on the main shaft and the adjacent slide block 99. Thus, since the slide frames are secured to the rubbing shoes, the vertical components of movement produced by rotation of the eccentrics are dissipated in lost or idle motion by producing vertical reciprocating movements of the slide blocks relative to their respective slide frames, while the horizontal components of movement effected by rotation of the eccentrics are transmitted through the slide frames to the rubbing shoes, thereby effecting reciprocating movements of the rubbing shoes laterally of the table I2.

A pad I02 of a relatively soft material such as felt or rubber is used on the plane surfaces 90 of the rubbing shoes for most rubbing operations, such as sanding or polishing. This pad is of uniform thickness and covers the plane surface of the shoe. The pad is covered by a sheet or layer 103 of material which is selected to provide the rubbing surface. For securing the sheet I03 firmly in place during use, and yet providing for the quick and ready replacement of the rubbing sheet when it becomes worn, I have provided side fastening strips 94, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. These strips are secured to the opposite sides of the plate 89 and extend longitudinally thereof in parallel relationship to the plane surface 90 and preferably at positions set back slightly from that plane surface. Each fastening strip I04 has the longitudinal groove l5 in the lower surface thereof, and each carries a slide strip I06 on its outer side face; the slide strips being supported, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, by adjustable fastening means such as cap screws I01 which extend through slots I08 disposed obliquely with respect to the lower surfaces of the fastening strips. Each such slide strip has a series of inwardly projecting fingers I09 secured to the lower edge thereof and carrying a clamping rod H0 at a position aligned with the adjacent groove I05 in the fastening strip I04. When the cap screws I07 are loosened, the side strips are movable along and downwardly with respect to the adjacent fastening strips to a position such as that depicted at mm in Figs. 5 and 6, in which latter position the rod I I0 is displaced from the groove I05 to a position such as that shown at IIOa. When thus retracted, sand paper or other rubbing material may be moved with relative freedom along the surface of the rubbing shoe until a. new rubbing surface is, provided. Then, the clamping strips are raised to the position illustrated in Fig. 5, so that the rods I I firmly clamp the margins of the sheet rubbing material in the grooves I05. For convenience in supporting a supply of sheet rubbing material, brackets II2 are secured to the side plate 28 and carry a roll II3 of sheet rubbing material on a rod II4 carried by the brackets.

For moving sheet material longitudinally of the table I2 and beneath the rubbing shoes 86, 8.1 and 88 as well as forholding the sheet material firmly against the surface of the table, a

series of rollers H5, H6, H1, II8 and H9 is provided. Preferably two rollers II 5 and H6 are mounted at the material input end of the machine to insure a workpiece being held fiat against the table as it approaches the first rubbing shoe 86 and passes beneath the surface thereof. The roller I I? is mounted between the rubbing shoes 86 and 81, and the roller H8 is mounted between the rubbing shoes 81 and 88. The roller H9 is at the output end of the machine for effecting removal of a finished sheet from beneath the final rubbing shoe. These rollers are carried and driven by shafts I20, I22, I23, I24 and I25, the axes of which shafts are parallel to one another and substantially parallel to lines of reciprocating movement of the rubbing shoes 86, 81 and I38. Thus, as a workpiece of sheet material is moved longitudinally of the table I2 by the rollers, the movement thereof is in a direction lateral to the reciprocating movements of the rubbing shoes.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the ends of the roller shafts I20, I22, I23, I24 and I25 are journalled at their opposite ends in bearing blocks I26, I21, I28, I29 and I30, which bearing blocks are supported for limited vertical movement by the reinforcing ribs 30 and the side plates 20 and 29 of the framework. Blocks I32, I33, I34, I and I36 are secured to the side plates directly above the bearing blocks I26, I21, I28, I29 and I30 respectively and have self-aligning bearings therein which slidably receive shafts I31, I38, I39, I40 and I42 which are secured to the bearing blocks and extend upwardly through the bearings. Compression springs I43, I44, I45, I46 and I4! on the shafts I31, I38, I39,I40 and I42 and disposed between the stationary blocks and the respective bearing blocks bias the bearings and the ends of the rollers downwardly towards the table I2. With this arrangement of parts, the workpiece is held against the table and gripping force is provided, so that the rollers frictionally engage the upper surface of the workpiece.

For driving the rollers H5, H6, I", [I8 and H9, I have provided a series of sprockets and chains which are driven from the motor 23. As indicated in Fig. 2, a. chain I 48 extends from a drive sprocket on the shaft of the motor 23 and drivingly engages sprockets I 49 and I50 which are drivingly secured to the adjacent ends of the shafts I20 and I23 respectively. A second sprocket I52 on the shaft I20 is drivingly connected to a sprocket I53 on the shaft I22 by a chain I54. A second sprocket I55 on the shaft I 23 is drivingly connected to a sprocket I56 on the shaft I 24 by a chain I51; and finally a second sprocket I58 on the shaft I24 is drivingly connected to a sprocket I59 on the shaft I25 by a chain I60. Thus, the rollers are positively driven at a uniform speed. Preferably, the motors 22 and 23 are both of a variable speed type and have manually adjustable elements I62, and

I63 thereon for effecting adjustments .of the speeds of the rubbing shoes and the movement of the workpiece relative to the rubbing shoes.

When the disclosed machine is used for wet rubbing operations, a liquid suited to the purpose of the particular operation is flowed onto the surface of the workpiece, preferably near the rubbing shoes. The liquid flowing from the workpiece is then collected in drain troughs on the edge of the base for disposal. In this connection, it may be readily appreciated that when thus used, the adjusting and operating parts of the machine are above and separated from the path of flow of the liquid.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do notwish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail my self of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as. new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A stationary rubbing machine for workpieces havingflat surfaces and comprising, in combination, a base structure having a top workpiece supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardy from the workpiece supporting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions longitudinally of the table and each including cross shafts extending laterally and in parallel relationship to the table, rubbing shoes having faces parallel to, the table and including supporting bearings mounted for reciprocating movement on said cross shafts, a drive shaft extending lon gitudinally of the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearings carried by said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned with the rubbing shoes, a slide frame secured to and extending upwardly from each of the rubbing shoes, said slide frames encompassing the drive shaft and having opposed vertical slide tracks therein, bearing means on the eccentrics movable along the slide tracks so that the rubbing shoes reciprocate horizontally relative to the table and the bearing means move vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft, a prime mover for driving the drive shaft, and means for feeding a workpiece longitudinally of the table.

2. A rubbing machine as defined in claim '1, and wherein said means for feeding a workpiece longitudinally of the table includes rollers at each end of the table adjacent the rubbing shoes as well as between adjacent rubbing shoes, said roll ers extending laterally across the table in substantially parallel relationship to one another and being supported from the framework for linear movement from and toward the table, springs 1 for biasing the rollers toward the table, and a second prime mover for driving the rollers.

A ru bin m hine as defin d'in la m and wherein said rubbing shoe supports each include similarly threaded shafts extending upwardly at positions near opposite sides of the framework, bearings Supporting the threaded shafts for movements axially thereof, worm gears threaded onto the threaded shafts and sup.- ported by the latter mentioned bearings for rotation at fixed positions, a lateral shaft supported lateral shaft effects like movements of opposite ends of one of the shoe supports.

4. A stationary rubbing machine for workpieces having flat surfaces and comprising, in combination, a base structure having a top workpiece Supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardly from the workpiece supporting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions along the table, rubbing shoes having faces parallel to the table and carried by the said supports for reciprocating movement parallel to and laterally of the table, a drive shaft extending along the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearings carried by said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned with the rubbing shoes, a mechanism including a slide frame for connecting each eccentric to one of the rubbing shoes and providing lost motion in one direction so that rubbing shoes are driven horizontally relative to the table and the eccentrics move vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft, a prime mover for driving the drive shaft, and means for feeding a workpiece along the table in a direction transverse to that of the reciprocations of the rubbing shoes.

5. A rubbing machine as defined in claim 4, and wherein said rubbing shoe supports each embody threaded level adjusting elements at spaced positions, and Worm gear drive means manually operable from a readily accessible positionfor simultaneously effecting control of the positions of the level adjusting elements.

6. A rubbing machine as defined in claim 4, and

wherein said means for feeding a workpiece along the table includes a plurality of driven rollers movably supported by the framework in substantially parallel relationship to the table, and springs for biasing the rollers toward the table.

'7. A rubbing machine as defined in claim 4, and adapted to the use of sheet material for providing rubbing surfaces on the shoes, and wherein said rubbing shoes each have thereon movable side clamping rails and movable end clamps for retaining the sheet material in place over the face of the rubbing shoe during use.

8. In a rubbing machine, the combination comprising a base structure having a top workpiece supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardly from the workpiece supporting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions along the table, said rubbing shoes having faces parallel to the table and carried by the said supports for reciprocating movement parallel to and laterally of the table, a drive shaft extending along the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearings carried by-said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned, with the rubbing shoes, and a mechanism for connecting each ec centric to one of the rubbing shoes so that the rubbing shoes reciprocate horizontally relative to the table as the eccentrics rotate and the eccentries are free to move vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft.

9. In a rubbing machine adapted to the use of sheet material for providing a rubbing surface, the combination comprising an elongated rubbing shoe having a rubbing plate portion presenting a substantially fiat working face, a pad covering the working face, strips secured to and extending along opposite sides of the rubbing plate and having longitudinally grooved surfaces extending along opposite sides of the pad, and clamping means including slide strips movably secured to the outer surfaces of the first mentioned grooved strips and having clamping rods secured thereto in alignment with said grooved surfaces for releasably clamping sheet material in place over the pad.

10. A stationary rubbing machine for workpieces having fiat surfaces and comprising, in combination, a base structure having a top workpiece supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardly from the workpiece sup-porting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions longitudinally of the table and each including cross shafts extending laterally and in parallel relationship to the table, rubbing shoes having faces parallel to the table and including supporting bearings mounted for reciprocating movement on said cross shafts, a drive shaft extending longitudinally of the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearings carried by said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned with the rubbing shoes, a slide frame secured to and extending upwardly from each of the rubbing shoes, said slide frame encompassing the drive shaft and having opposed vertical slide tracks therein, slides mounted for vertical reciprocating movement on said slide tracks and having bearings therein mounted on the eccentrics so that the slides and rubbing shoes reciprocate horizontally relative to the table and the slides reciprocate vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft, a

prime mover for driving the drive shaft, and" means for feeding a workpiece longitudinally of the table.

11. A stationary rubbing machine for workpieces having flat surfaces and comprising, in combination, a base structure having a top workpiece supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardly from the workpiece supporting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions along the table, rubbing shoes having faces parallel to the table and carried by the said supports for reciprocating movement parallel to and laterally of 'the table, a drive shaft extending along the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearing carried by said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned with the rubbing shoes, a mechanism including a slide frame and a slide for connecting each eccentric to one of the rubbing shoes and providing lost motion in one direction so that the slides and rubbing shoes reciprocate horizontally relative to the table and the slides reciprocate vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft, 7 d

a prime mover for driving the drive shaft, and means for feeding a workpiece along the table in a direction transverse to that of the reciprocations of the rubbing shoes.

12. In a rubbing machine, the combination comprising a base structure having a top workpiece supporting table, framework secured to the base structure and extending upwardly from the workpiece supporting table, rubbing shoe supports carried by the framework at spaced positions along the table, said rubbing shoes having faces parallel to the table and carried by the said supports for reciprocating movement parallel to and laterally of the table, a drive shaft extending along the mid-portion of the table at a position spaced above the rubbing shoes, said framework including bearing supports at opposite ends of said drive shaft, bearings carried by said bearing supports and supporting said drive shaft for rotation, said drive shaft having eccentrics thereon at spaced positions aligned with the rubbing shoes, and a mechanism including a slide frame and a slide for connecting each eccentric to one of the rubbing shoes and providing lost motion in one direction so that the slides and rubbing shoes reciprocate horizontally relative to the table and the slides reciprocate vertically relative to the rubbing shoes during rotation of the drive shaft.

HAROLD R. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 15,066 Cushing June '10, 1856 165,073 Dayton June 29, 1875 497,895 Ruehs May 23, 1893 913,363 Weber Mar. 2, 1909 1,124,657 Prime et a1 Jan. 12, 1915 2,033,134 Fancher Mar. 10, 1936 2,311,346 Munn Feb. 16, 1943 

